I chose to study International Modern Languages at UCD because I really enjoyed learning French at school. I wanted the chance to continue studying French while also picking up other languages. International Languages at UCD was perfect for this as I was able to do a joint major in French and German while also studying Italian as my elective throughout the four years of my degree. I was really glad that beginners German and Italian were available, and I was extremely impressed by the systematic and focused approach that was taken to teaching these languages at beginner level. This allowed us to catch up to the level of the students who had already studied these languages at school and then continue to deepen our knowledge of the languages as they did. I also enjoyed the wide range of modules available to choose from relating to literature, history, culture and linguistics. I spent my Erasmus year in Besançon, France, which was definitely one of the highlights of choosing this degree. Now that I have graduated I am spending a year working as an English Language Assistant in Germany, as my Erasmus year really gave me an interest in living abroad , and I’m excited to now be living in Germany and putting the German I have learned during the past four years to good use.

I had always been interested in French language and literature throughout my middle and high school education. However, as an American, there existed cultural and geographic realities that I felt were holding me back. When the time came for me to pursue languages at a university level, I knew I wanted to take my study of European languages and literature directly to the source (that is, Europe!). The International Modern Languages program at UCD provides an excellent opportunity to live in an English-speaking, European country with continental Europe only a short flight away. The staff at the School of Languages and Literatures are knowledgeable and accessible, and small class sizes ensure that each student receives the attention they need. While enrolled in the International Modern Languages program at UCD, students can expect not only a personal and well-rounded education in languages and literatures, but also the priceless opportunity to travel and study abroad at a partner university for two full semesters.